Solar System and Galaxy Distance Flashcards
1
Q
How long does it take light to travel from the Sun to the Earth?
A
500 seconds
2
Q
What is the name of our nearest star, and how long does it take light to travel from it to the Sun?
A
Proxima Centauri; 4.24 years.
3
Q
How far away is the Sun from the Earth if light travels at 300,000 kilometers per second?
A
(300,000 km/s) * (500 s) = 150 million kilometers.
4
Q
What is the role of gravity in the formation of new stars in galaxies?
A
Gravity pulls together gas and dust in galaxies to form new stars.
5
Q
: How long has our Sun been shining, and why can’t it shine forever?
A
About 5 billion years; it will eventually run out of hydrogen fuel for fusion.
